New Carnival Court is selected for personality and knowledge of town
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
The five candidates were judged on personality and their knowledge of Hastings in the selection event, held by the new Hastings Old Town Carnival Association, at the East Hastings Angling Club, last Sunday.
Also on the judging panel were Nadine Salmon, who had been the Court Chaperone for many years until her retirement at the last AGM, and Laylah Dobinson, who had been Carnival Queen in 2014.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe event was compered by last year’s Carnival Queen, Chloe Stretton.
Hannah Burgess, who was one of last year’s Carnival Princesses, also won the title of Miss Hastings.
This year’s Carnival Princesses were Talitha Ford, who too had been a Carnival Princess last year and shares her 17th birthday with the Queen, and promising newcomer, Frankie Stewart, 16.
Carnival spokesman Ion Castro said: “It was once again a difficult decision for the judges who were all impressed with the contestants’ obvious affection for our town.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAs well as taking a leading role in this year’s carnival procession, the carnival court will represent the town at a number of other carnivals across Sussex and Kent.
Carnival will be on Saturday August 6 this year with a ‘1066 and all that’ theme and, to make entry more accessible, the new committee is encouraging more pedestrian entries so that you won’t need a motorised float.
The Pram race will be on the preceding Wednesday, (August 3) and details and entry forms will be on the official website, www.1066.net/carnival.
The procession takes place at the end of Old Town Week - a packed week of activities and special events including the annual Crown Lane cycle race and a fancy dress Treasure Hunt around the Old Town.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThere will also be a number of guided walks, open houses, open art studios and talks taking place during the week.
Hastings Old Town Carnival has been in existence since 1968. In those days Hastings and St Leonards had their own carnival which missed out the Old Town so Old Towners decided to have their own, better, carnival.
Hastings Old Town Carnival is run by an unpaid band of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.
Hastings Old Town Carnival Association handed out £11,200 to 36 local charities and good causes last year. A special trophy was awarded to the RNLI for the largest amount of money collected.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDon’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
1 Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk
2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver
3 Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.